tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63366688833984793772024-03-13T14:30:39.292-07:00The RadclyffeCostuming projects by Kat Brown aka Radclyffe.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-39239219750743993562014-11-17T18:58:00.002-08:002014-11-17T18:58:43.202-08:00Orlando layover = Sarasota Medieval Faire Adventure!It's not a sewing project or fabric shopping but I got to have a super awesome day at the Sarasota Medieval Faire and you should all know about it!<br />
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I worked an allnighter flight from Seattle to Orlando Friday morning, rented a car and drove down to Sarasota, about 2 hours away. I had no idea I would be doing this so of course I had no fairewear with me. My costume for the day was typical patron- black workout capris, grey scoop neck short sleeve shirt, and nikes. With sunglasses! It was weird, but a treat.<br />
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Never been to this Faire or heard much about it so I had no idea what to expect, especially as I drove toward the parking area which seemed to be right in the middle of the city. But as soon as I got inside the gate the only sign of the 21st century seemed to be my own attire and iPhone use. Big beautiful shady trees, grass and dirt paths, and festive stages and shops were all around.<br />
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Alright, but how would the entertainment be at this smaller 3 weekend faire?<br />
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Well this is what greeted me inside...<br />
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Nothing like a drumming and piping group that I've not yet heard of but would soon get to know very happily!<br />
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A trip to the pub followed very shortly and I equipped myself with some quite delicious cranberry mead!<br />
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I took a good lap around the site to get a lay of the land and see what kind of shopping was available. The layout makes good use of the space, with enough turns and lanes to make it feel bigger than it really is but not so much that one gets lost. I didn't do any shopping personally but I saw a good mix of artisans.<br />
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I caught a show very astutely titled "Danger Comedy Juggling and Whip Show". It was very funny! I believe the performer's name is Aaron Bonk.<br />
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I started to get a sense of this faire's audience and they were a great crowd! Engaged, happy, ready to laugh and applaud and be entertained.<br />
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Let me note that as the day continued I made it back to every Cu Dubh show to get my bagpipe bootyshaking on (curse my lack of skirts!)<br />
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(yes I'm dancing, hence the bad filming)</div>
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I missed the opening gate performance by the local cast but did make it to the first human chess match. The story seemed to revolve around the German King Otto, our host, and what I couldn't tell if the opposers were French or just a barbarian tribe of rivals.<br />
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The Washing Well Wenches were not to be missed and Izzy and Gertie absolutely delivered!<br />
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The joust I only caught part of, but claimed to be and seemed to indeed be "full contact". Definitely was cool to hear and 'feel' the solid hits but there also seemed to be a lot of down time between passes (only two knights jousted) and some musical fanfare accompaniment would've helped some of the impact and to bring up the quiet moments in between.<br />
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(tried to get a selfie with one of the knights but he was distracted whispering things to me)</div>
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The day finished with a pub sing/ jam session with Cu Dubh. They played us all out the front gates and I think we were all sorry to go!<br />
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All in all it was an amazing and spontaneous day even if it meant I only got a 2 hour nap once I got back to my hotel before getting up to work a 10.5 hour day... But hey, everyone needs to go 52 hours without sleep every once in a while if it means making it worth it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-16872937817243132382014-11-14T16:35:00.000-08:002014-11-14T16:35:06.581-08:00Apologies!As I should've expected, the train of great progress got a bit derailed.<br />
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Everything was going according to plan but then a part of the plan (i.e. the method of appliquéing some leather on some silk) didn't give me the look I wanted and I couldn't find a alternative method right away so I threw my hands up disgusted and decided to come back to it another day.<br />
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And then before that 'another day' came I found out I had to find a new apartment/roommate and move soon. So now I'm messed up in packing and moving which is going to prevent any more progress until December.<br />
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...for which I'm very sorry to you, my followers, because I'm already giving you just slivers of updates. SORRY SORRY SORRY!!!<br />
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And if you're new to finding or hearing about this blog, welcome! If you found this because your director shared a link about a dress for sale, that dress is still available! Please email me for details at cecilstanequin@gmail.com<br />
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So thanks for checking in, and I'll do my best to get back on the wagon and updating once I'm settled into my new place!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-45412468853911426682014-10-07T22:20:00.000-07:002014-10-07T22:20:02.748-07:00Peter Teaser 2As predicted... unprecedented progress! <div>
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The trunk hose are nearly ready for a final fitting, the doublet is a breath away from being assembled for a final fitting. Sleeves? I'm calmly ignoring the sleeves altogether at the moment. The yummy extra piece is ready to undertake the most laborious and finicky part of the entire design. </div>
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Here are some vague teaser snapshots...</div>
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Muahahahahaha!!!!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-74597081387569642742014-10-03T20:36:00.000-07:002014-10-03T20:36:15.003-07:00New Project TeaserAs promised I WILL... do my best to document my current and upcoming projects.<br />
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However, a lot of my work is done for performers at various renaissance faires. Part of the magic and excitement for our patrons (and fellow performers) come opening day is seeing the new costumes and the beauty of the show all put together. Out of respect and support of that magic, I will not be posting photographic updates of those costumes. Instead I will collect photos of the progress and put together a project review and debut AFTER the openings of said faires.<br />
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Sorrrrrrrry. I know it's kind of a bummer and means the blog posts will be a bit thin until the season officially starts but I will try to tantalize you, my readers, with written updates and a very few teaser pics. <br />
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So to start us off, my charming brother makes another appearance in my client roster with a little design we've been working on for a while now. <br />
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So there's a teaser shot of the sketch. </div>
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It's going to be really hard not to share this one with you because it's going to come together pretty quickly. I found a local calico store that has a sewing lounge/classroom they let folks use to work in when classes aren't going on. It is BEYOND amazing how much work I can get done there in just a few short hours compared to trying to work at home. Coffee table vs. sewing table. Kitties trying to play with everything vs. no kitties. Easily accessible kitchen vs. no kitchen. Yeah this place is great. No distractions. I think just a few more 4-5 hour days there will see this project nearly done. </div>
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Another project is totally Top Secret. No more will be said about this until clandestine status has been lifted. </div>
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Another project is done but does not have a proper owner yet so I will post more about that one after it finds it's new home. </div>
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So I'll let you know when I have more to safely share...</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-9322272832484341652014-09-03T13:10:00.000-07:002014-09-03T13:10:34.204-07:00Can't Stay Away Forever...From the blog OR the 'Bethan work.<br />
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I didn't get around to much more Regency work but I was drawn back to my Elizabethan projects sooner than I expected.<br />
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In January I found out a new Bristol St. George cast member was cast as Mary Radclyffe so any visits I made would obviously not be as Radclyffe. I was surprised and a little sad, having put so much of myself into my Radclyffe, but I embraced the change as an opportunity for new growth. My "Grey-clyffe" dress had by now seen almost 4 years of use and was beginning to tell. She cameoed as other characters at other faires, but she would always be Bristol Radclyffe to me so kicked my butt into gear to finish a dress I started years ago.<br />
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Goodbye, Grey-clyffe!</div>
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photo by Duchess W Cortland-Canon</div>
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Unfortunately I was still in an I-don't-want-to-do-this-all-again mood regarding sewing and faire costuming so I was rather hermit-like about the process. I took very few photos, consulted no one, and obviously didn't post any blog updates. I also gave myself the smallest window for construction I ever risked. Work on it in earnest didn't begin until February and my goal was opening weekend for RPF (<a href="http://recfaire.com/socal" target="_blank">recfaire.com/socal</a>) April 5th&6th. </div>
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I mention I had started this dress but all that had been done was the seaming of the skirt panels and laying the silk piping/silk velvet trim on the skirt. At some point I also put the pearls on the trim. So maybe about 10 hours worth of work had been done. Otherwise I put together Overskirt, Bodice, Underskirt with embroidered/beaded forepart section, sleeves, Attifet, new chemise, Ruff partlet, and wrist ruffs all in about 2 months. </div>
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Enough talking about it. Here it is! </div>
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As Douglas Howard, Baroness Sheffield at RPF</div>
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(with Sarah Dufresne as Bess Throckmorton and Clayton Hamburg as Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester)</div>
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photo by Ken Leonard</div>
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As Mary Radclyffe for the day at WMRF </div>
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(with Christopher Forest as Edward deVere, Earl of Oxford -suit by myself)</div>
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photo by Richard Doyle</div>
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As Penelope Devereaux, Baroness Rich at BRF</div>
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photo by Nicole Dh</div>
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Feel free to shoot me any questions about details or construction as I neglected documenting the process. </div>
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Now that I'm back up and posting I should be following up with more soon. I PROMISE! </div>
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Special thanks to the following:</div>
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Terri Casey- for welcoming me as always with your great cast at RPF</div>
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Marybeth Townsend- for making me feel loved and never-forgotton</div>
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Victoria Dzenis- for welcoming me to your cast at WMRF for a fun-filled day</div>
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Christopher Forest- for your assistance, input, inspiration, your large table; letting me bully you; and for looking great in my work</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-18801560418967940592013-10-28T23:31:00.001-07:002013-10-28T23:36:45.012-07:00Adventures in Regency: Part One- Unmentionables!I think I can count the number of non-Elizabethan projects I've undertaken since creating this blog on one finger. For such a long time my costuming has been so driven by the Faire-purpose and the passion for that era that I could think of making little else. I'm sorry to say that this year something in me--not so much "snapped", but frayed out, rather. As I took on more and more projects for clients and I pushed myself to meet deadlines and create unique hopeful-showstoppers for elite and stellar performers I burned myself out.<br />
For many months now I've been loath to even go near my fabric or workspace. While I told myself this will wear off and by next spring I'll be eager to sew again, a large part of me kinda hoped it wouldn't. Never having been fond of making day-to-day clothes or halloween costumes or other sewing crafts I started to wonder if this loss of my one main passion would deter me from stirring needle and thread again. I was almost resigned to never find out.<br />
And then I was inspired. But not the kind of inspiration that entraps you and enslaves you to a project that gives you sleepless nights fretting over but rather the kind of inspiration that frees you. The kind of inspiration that returns you to the simplest pleasure that's at the heart of why you began this hobby in the first place. "That's pretty. I should like to create something like that and feel what it's like to wear something pretty like that." This phrase is what started me down this road nearly 10 years ago watching the beautiful Guilde of St. George at Bristol parade by. And lo, in the pit of my dispassion, it came to me again. Watching the BBC/A&E Pride & Prejudice for the 100th time I felt that inspiring, politely compelling desire to create and experience those clothes.<br />
With no event looming, no performance to cater, no expectations (my own or others) to meet I'm just going to enjoy my way through some regency era garment-making. If this is the first, last, and only post I make on the subject, I will bear no disappointment. One of the most profound and ofttimes heartbreaking axioms I have come across in the world of these hobbies is "If you don't enjoy it anymore, it's time to stop." I don't believe that time has come entirely but I can't fight it if it does.<br />
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So with no more ado, the palate cleanser of my costuming ennui beginning with UNMENTIONABLES!!!<br />
I have now made a shift/chemise and Regency era "short stays"<br />
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Front view of chemise with short stays over. Chemise comes to just below knee length.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcYkFE5-vmk/Um9UdtAF1yI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/XrP5UJ4k1uM/s1600/DSCN1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcYkFE5-vmk/Um9UdtAF1yI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/XrP5UJ4k1uM/s400/DSCN1319.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Back view</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ5NdK2Ru-A/Um9UX4QRWMI/AAAAAAAAA_I/swUek8vQXUc/s1600/DSCN1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ5NdK2Ru-A/Um9UX4QRWMI/AAAAAAAAA_I/swUek8vQXUc/s400/DSCN1321.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Angle showing the "shelf" effect the stays create</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BoVyfXsHeTo/Um9URStjTfI/AAAAAAAAA_A/DdqOCBOnCaI/s1600/DSCN1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BoVyfXsHeTo/Um9URStjTfI/AAAAAAAAA_A/DdqOCBOnCaI/s640/DSCN1320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrzexgdvAcA/Um9Ujxmyl4I/AAAAAAAAA_c/4RviTU_R35o/s1600/DSCN1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrzexgdvAcA/Um9Ujxmyl4I/AAAAAAAAA_c/4RviTU_R35o/s640/DSCN1322.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-47352272058080565832013-10-24T22:02:00.002-07:002013-10-24T22:02:34.973-07:00Gresham's Dutch Coat And also a long time coming and seen in action; here is Sir Thomas Gresham's Dutch Coat!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEZEmt7yEvo/Umn7N5S-eUI/AAAAAAAAA-s/Erw3KPkG3cI/s1600/1379357_10201618768984369_1611127829_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEZEmt7yEvo/Umn7N5S-eUI/AAAAAAAAA-s/Erw3KPkG3cI/s640/1379357_10201618768984369_1611127829_n.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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Photo by Ivan Phillips</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-43087100406646643622013-10-24T21:56:00.000-07:002013-10-24T21:56:04.936-07:00Final post for the Sidney GownCrap I know this was a long time coming and many of you have already seen the final product live in action but for any of my followers who did not get to attend Bristol I'll post some performance shots taken by the wonderful photographers who frequent Bristol.<br />
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The Sidneys and Lord Essex taking in the entertainments</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awLcxZjxMeQ/Umn4ucysU2I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/7zb3onvFyWY/s1600/971125_10201561619190245_1914707781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-awLcxZjxMeQ/Umn4ucysU2I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/7zb3onvFyWY/s640/971125_10201561619190245_1914707781_n.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Photos by our favorite Nicole Dh</div>
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Sir Robert and Lady Sidney</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G_3ogogsTY0/Umn4uknSayI/AAAAAAAAA-U/5--cLjpP9lg/s1600/1044434_10201561619030241_749852506_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G_3ogogsTY0/Umn4uknSayI/AAAAAAAAA-U/5--cLjpP9lg/s640/1044434_10201561619030241_749852506_n.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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I love the jaunty set of the hat, she pulls it off so well!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_skNIlwBF8/Umn4uVNNwiI/AAAAAAAAA-k/-PDaDT7lxg4/s1600/1002128_463585023737456_908984869_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v_skNIlwBF8/Umn4uVNNwiI/AAAAAAAAA-k/-PDaDT7lxg4/s640/1002128_463585023737456_908984869_n.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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photo by Duchess Canon</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-80759458148523527692013-05-31T18:33:00.000-07:002013-05-31T18:33:12.160-07:00The REAL last post of May!I didn't get quite as much done today as I could've and therefor don't feel justified titling it "Holy Crap! It's Almost Done!" even though it is, in fact, almost done. In relative terms.<br />
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I lined and turned the bodice today. Hateful part of the process and yet most gratifying to complete. The pointy corners are like wrestling crocodiles to turn sometimes.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8GfIayyALu8/UalMAQpIjdI/AAAAAAAAA8E/vNLfGMB1gM0/s1600/2009-12-31+23.00.00-170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8GfIayyALu8/UalMAQpIjdI/AAAAAAAAA8E/vNLfGMB1gM0/s400/2009-12-31+23.00.00-170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I mean, look at that. That just LOOKS a mess.</div>
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And the physics of that placket did not help, despite their being quite awesomely effective.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-11npDqO3mXo/UalMAsuwnEI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/4C89iPbVeEM/s1600/2009-12-31+23.00.00-171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-11npDqO3mXo/UalMAsuwnEI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/4C89iPbVeEM/s400/2009-12-31+23.00.00-171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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evil little corners</div>
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I also did a bit of topstitching buried in the trim along the neckline to sharpen and secure the edges. The armholes are prepped for binding, which will get done this weekend maybe. I did get the lining secured, by hand, along the waistline.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOxCIAw8k5g/UalMA82nntI/AAAAAAAAA8M/qISvjIuLGRs/s1600/2009-12-31+23.00.00-172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOxCIAw8k5g/UalMA82nntI/AAAAAAAAA8M/qISvjIuLGRs/s320/2009-12-31+23.00.00-172.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking pretty good, dontcha think?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OA281HhMNg/UalNpmumdCI/AAAAAAAAA8o/H4Gr8U0pwcQ/s1600/DSCN1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OA281HhMNg/UalNpmumdCI/AAAAAAAAA8o/H4Gr8U0pwcQ/s640/DSCN1026.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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(also, the way the fabric is bending w/ the weight of the sleeve pinned to it, it totally looks like the left side of skirting is way longer than the right. But it's not. I promise.)</div>
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Now that truly will be the last post of May. The armholes, grommeting, and some nit-picky finishing details and the bodice will be DONE-ZO! The skirt just needs a waistband, to be sewn TO that waistband, and a hem and it too will be donesauce. I guess that is almost-done. Fine. HOLY CRAP IT'S ALMOST DONE!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-79824141651653530052013-05-29T22:43:00.002-07:002013-05-29T22:43:47.037-07:00My God! It Looks Like A Dress!Today's unexpected day-off status proved vitally useful! At this point all components are detailed and completed and have only to be combined and finished.<br />
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The skirt trimming has been finished:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzIlI6qM1k4/Uabeh-XG8OI/AAAAAAAAA5w/_kFVsKmmUeY/s1600/DSCN0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzIlI6qM1k4/Uabeh-XG8OI/AAAAAAAAA5w/_kFVsKmmUeY/s640/DSCN0996.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The bodice got it's own S-curve treatment:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xSNikDT7Yk/UabfRxgDZ3I/AAAAAAAAA6E/pjbibu6_RBI/s1600/DSCN0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--xSNikDT7Yk/UabfRxgDZ3I/AAAAAAAAA6E/pjbibu6_RBI/s320/DSCN0998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And trimming and flat-lining...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7SHPbOdg9c/UabfR7ZvgfI/AAAAAAAAA6A/e2KDCMJyaXQ/s1600/DSCN1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7SHPbOdg9c/UabfR7ZvgfI/AAAAAAAAA6A/e2KDCMJyaXQ/s640/DSCN1001.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This placketeroo got made<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9n30EviPIR4/UabgRiLKRKI/AAAAAAAAA6g/x6hfDWATlMg/s1600/DSCN1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9n30EviPIR4/UabgRiLKRKI/AAAAAAAAA6g/x6hfDWATlMg/s320/DSCN1002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And cable-tie reinforced. God I love those things.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eyh5RrW_iOs/UabgTnliyDI/AAAAAAAAA6o/_IYSf7nAoEs/s1600/DSCN1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eyh5RrW_iOs/UabgTnliyDI/AAAAAAAAA6o/_IYSf7nAoEs/s320/DSCN1003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And lightly trimmed.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNJsMuUW7Gk/Uabgb26UwiI/AAAAAAAAA6w/A1LhI_-8RWs/s1600/DSCN1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNJsMuUW7Gk/Uabgb26UwiI/AAAAAAAAA6w/A1LhI_-8RWs/s320/DSCN1005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Epaulette's got hemmed and hawed over then finally came together in a round about sort of way.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYI4ghAg5kQ/UabhzP-r5AI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/3InzFtMlISU/s1600/DSCN1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYI4ghAg5kQ/UabhzP-r5AI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/3InzFtMlISU/s320/DSCN1006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And of course they got trimmed too. (When in doubt, more trim)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHZkbVdMRRc/Uabhq4e3F8I/AAAAAAAAA7A/NTUb_4y0miI/s1600/DSCN1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHZkbVdMRRc/Uabhq4e3F8I/AAAAAAAAA7A/NTUb_4y0miI/s320/DSCN1007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Flipperoonie...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ8x4JyeU-k/Uabhv8MG_pI/AAAAAAAAA7I/U4yWtEL18Gs/s1600/DSCN1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ8x4JyeU-k/Uabhv8MG_pI/AAAAAAAAA7I/U4yWtEL18Gs/s320/DSCN1008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fancy-ass studs echoing the skirt and bodice detailing...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3o1_yK3VLNs/Uabh7iii_zI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/jKkDGvAFwec/s1600/DSCN1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3o1_yK3VLNs/Uabh7iii_zI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/jKkDGvAFwec/s320/DSCN1009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Epaulettes and skirting pieces all done...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReqrA0NL93g/UabjUTk48bI/AAAAAAAAA7o/TzKiaKHaFC8/s1600/2009-12-31+23.00.00-160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReqrA0NL93g/UabjUTk48bI/AAAAAAAAA7o/TzKiaKHaFC8/s320/2009-12-31+23.00.00-160.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this is me laying out all the pieces to approximate what the soon-to-be-finsished product will look like...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjwM66rDGhk/UabkE6zz00I/AAAAAAAAA70/pHb5wpgGtM8/s1600/2009-12-31+23.00.00-166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjwM66rDGhk/UabkE6zz00I/AAAAAAAAA70/pHb5wpgGtM8/s640/2009-12-31+23.00.00-166.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've begun preparatory work to flip the bodice out with the lining, which is always kind of a pain when I've improvised crap like that placketeroo thing. That will be the next step and this thing will be finished before we know it.<br />
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Last post in May. June here we come... BAPA and rehearsals will be underway this weekend for my friends at Bristol. I'm definitely missing those days, despite being busy and happy out here. Part of me will definitely be with you in spirit during these exciting days of creation, inspiration, collusion, and anticipation, my friends!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-44853364568222809912013-05-24T19:33:00.002-07:002013-05-24T19:33:59.756-07:00I HAS EVERYTHING! I NOW HAVE EVERYTHING TO FINISH(aka start) THIS DRESS!<br />
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The silk and patterns I was waiting for have arrived and thanks to being sick I had a couple extra days home to crank out some progress. I'm not exactly at a stopping point but I've been at it all day and need to tend to other things for the evening so I'm using these few moments to celebrate the progress!<br />
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Waiting for the silk and patterns I tried to do everything possible without them so I cut the skirt panels and prepped them for cartridge pleating (I'll be doing the hem from the bottom this time). Once all the trimming is done on the overskirt I just have to yank the threads and BOOM! PLEATED!<br />
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The pattern arrived first. One of my friends and fellow costumers is making the new corset for this Miss and was wonderful enough to send a sloper (bodice) pattern and the corset pattern so I can draft my bodice pattern from those. So I did exactly that and got the bodice cut out and ready to be trimmed.<br />
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THEN the silk arrived! It was on the cutting table within minutes.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8xWwaq078Q/UaAZLz2cYLI/AAAAAAAAA24/VAzw712f15M/s1600/DSCN0952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8xWwaq078Q/UaAZLz2cYLI/AAAAAAAAA24/VAzw712f15M/s320/DSCN0952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The silk's primary purpose is as piping so it was subsequently marked, cut, pieced end to end, and piped.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--d1bNSGmp3I/UaAZMHE-EpI/AAAAAAAAA28/zE1xAaGnXRo/s1600/DSCN0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--d1bNSGmp3I/UaAZMHE-EpI/AAAAAAAAA28/zE1xAaGnXRo/s320/DSCN0953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Who's a pretty piping? That's right! YOU ARE! (That's what I said to it)<br />
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Then it was on to making the crazy S curve details on the skirt...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a78bO69k05A/UaAaouLjL-I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/IWH78x8HT38/s1600/DSCN0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a78bO69k05A/UaAaouLjL-I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/IWH78x8HT38/s320/DSCN0957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Used a tracing wheel to go over the stencil on the right side of the velvet (the impression from the wheel was enough to mark it before going over the outline with a light line of chalk)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnId5cQd6CA/UaAa3IjbtOI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Bo0Fw3Z5hfU/s1600/DSCN0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnId5cQd6CA/UaAa3IjbtOI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Bo0Fw3Z5hfU/s320/DSCN0958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Six of those on each side<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAu4X2ZeLvY/UaAakXuXyuI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/abGObZrQELg/s1600/DSCN0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAu4X2ZeLvY/UaAakXuXyuI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/abGObZrQELg/s320/DSCN0956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Then laying the piping down on the right side...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh7aoDYJFWw/UaAavNol65I/AAAAAAAAA3g/cSTD-GWh0go/s1600/DSCN0955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh7aoDYJFWw/UaAavNol65I/AAAAAAAAA3g/cSTD-GWh0go/s320/DSCN0955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then flip it welt-style with the gunmetal silk behind it...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aOnJCrlKLfI/UaAcUG7tPII/AAAAAAAAA4A/-6yXPSCyIYo/s1600/DSCN0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aOnJCrlKLfI/UaAcUG7tPII/AAAAAAAAA4A/-6yXPSCyIYo/s320/DSCN0960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And stitch-in-the-ditch!<br />
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The curveys by themselves looked too plain so lord help me I pulled out the trim...<br />
This was too boring /snoooooze<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq_Oz-kAzxI/UaAfBkUV_EI/AAAAAAAAA4g/v5E0GkMMZ_Q/s1600/DSCN0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq_Oz-kAzxI/UaAfBkUV_EI/AAAAAAAAA4g/v5E0GkMMZ_Q/s320/DSCN0972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This was better but just a bit too much silver (a nice dark silver though)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_MJT9m-FQDM/UaAe_VNXXTI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/fa0NLjEpb4E/s1600/DSCN0977.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_MJT9m-FQDM/UaAe_VNXXTI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/fa0NLjEpb4E/s320/DSCN0977.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Then it all came together. Well it's not all together yet but first we did some of this...<br />
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Let's all say it together... "sOOOOOOOutache!"<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7mN_Qo9ZR8/UaAgUexkXuI/AAAAAAAAA44/cxyEzTyafn4/s1600/DSCN0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7mN_Qo9ZR8/UaAgUexkXuI/AAAAAAAAA44/cxyEzTyafn4/s640/DSCN0983.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
mmm yeah that's a good start... (that's all I have done so far)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvaLiRlSVVw/UaAgcI9zV2I/AAAAAAAAA5A/mh2tfBiPY-o/s1600/DSCN0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvaLiRlSVVw/UaAgcI9zV2I/AAAAAAAAA5A/mh2tfBiPY-o/s640/DSCN0986.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
But this is what WILL be happening to it next...<br />
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*just* enough silver and layerage.<br />
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Here's a peeksie of what the skirt intersection is gonna look like...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDwpnrYXN30/UaAhyxcR86I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/LTSUjUUdNXg/s1600/DSCN0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDwpnrYXN30/UaAhyxcR86I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/LTSUjUUdNXg/s640/DSCN0989.JPG" width="368" /></a></div>
Ok. This is all starting to feel muuuuuuch better. Time for a weekend.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-15373903375520776392013-05-16T21:27:00.000-07:002013-05-16T21:27:09.756-07:00Freaking Out, Small Victories, and MultitaskingFreaking OUT because we're somewhere around 50 days away from Bristol Opening Weekend and there's a whole lot of Sidney to be made. Fabric and pattern acquisition is proving a little challenging so I'm a little stuck until I get those items.<br />
The forepart and sleeves are done and awaiting ties which are being turned and pointed on my layovers.<br />
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The small victories include the fact that the leather was not as difficult to work with as it could've been. I also experimented a bit with how to execute the S-curve details on the bodice and overskirt. Which until this point I wasn't sure weather it would be appliquéd trim bits or what.<br />
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I ended up being inspired in part by welt pocket construction, of all things, and I'm really happy with what I've come up with and the other small victory is that it will work and will not cause me to tear my hair out attempting. It's simple, deceptively straight-forward, and won't take *too* long to do.<br />
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I've made a little S curve stencil, can chalk-trace it onto the velvet, I take two pieces of yellow piping and sew them just outside the lines on the right side of the fabric, slit the velvet to the end of the piping pieces, turn the piping lip under, tuck the ends under, ditch-stitch along the piping securing to the grey silk under fabric, and cap each tip of the curve with a little dark silver nailhead stud.<br />
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And while I'm at a hold on the Sidney dress I'm bouncing back to work on the Dutch merchant coat. I've now got all the trim pieces sewn on and trimmed with gold cord and lace. soooo much gold cord and lace.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUSw1n4ZcXo/UZWwC1wqmFI/AAAAAAAAA2g/_6hlPfK3vRU/s1600/DSCN0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUSw1n4ZcXo/UZWwC1wqmFI/AAAAAAAAA2g/_6hlPfK3vRU/s640/DSCN0945.JPG" width="402" /></a></div>
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I'm a collar and lining away from this one being done.</div>
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That's the status as of now!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-85448429502806390712013-05-03T14:14:00.000-07:002013-05-03T14:14:32.926-07:00Mmmmm Silk and Leather... Sometimes the perfect fabric comes to you in a piece that's juuuuuust a little smaller than you'd like for what you want to do with it. And sometimes you say 'fuck it, I'm gonna make it work no matter what'. Such is the case with the yellow silk my friend found for her gown. It's a gorgeous silk taffeta that's actually a golden-orange shot with lemon-lime yellow-green that comes out as a stunning and vibrant golden-yellow. Ideally we wanted to use this for sleeves, forepart, and piping for details on the gown. The piece my friend was able to obtain is unfortunately only about a yard and a half (54" wide) and her source cannot confirm if they will get more of it. Our next goal was to use this piece for forepart and sleeves and find something similar for the other smaller details. As is, the piece was suitably large enough, but it had always been the design to have the the forepart and sleeves pleated vertically which greatly shrinks the size of that piece. I compromised a bit by creating something between a pin tuck and a pleat that has a very pleasing effect without eating up too much of the piece. It was still a close call fitting it all on the piece. I did take a picture of it but for some reason my camera decided to make the file unreadable :( This is a rough sketch of how the pieces got spaced and just how close it was to fit it all.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWP3td4Oec0/UYQiQ9fZhqI/AAAAAAAAA0k/nAKa8mfTteE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-03+at+1.42.44+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWP3td4Oec0/UYQiQ9fZhqI/AAAAAAAAA0k/nAKa8mfTteE/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-05-03+at+1.42.44+PM.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
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Once I knew that would work and had the pieces all cut out I moved on to cutting the leather portions for the sleeve and forepart. I found two grey leathers at Sol's that I loved and decided to use a layered effect. </div>
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First a little cutwork on strips of the lighter grey leather.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sxu_Uf-1x1U/UYQlN590uSI/AAAAAAAAA1E/an_awt3JzQE/s1600/DSCN0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sxu_Uf-1x1U/UYQlN590uSI/AAAAAAAAA1E/an_awt3JzQE/s640/DSCN0877.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Then the lighter grey will be layered on top of the darker grey<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yd6zDj7wYrI/UYQj9uVOouI/AAAAAAAAA00/nWyGmZm5RIA/s1600/DSCN0878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yd6zDj7wYrI/UYQj9uVOouI/AAAAAAAAA00/nWyGmZm5RIA/s640/DSCN0878.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Then the leather strips will be placed on the sleeve.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQVVxwPEVTc/UYQlq9Yk-KI/AAAAAAAAA1M/ZPvboczkdZQ/s1600/DSCN0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQVVxwPEVTc/UYQlq9Yk-KI/AAAAAAAAA1M/ZPvboczkdZQ/s640/DSCN0879.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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So there's a little sneak peek of the sleeves! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-85666385382177229162013-04-21T20:03:00.003-07:002013-04-21T20:03:34.663-07:00Next Projects: Lady Sidney ensemble and a Dutch CoatThe next projects on the docket are pieces for cast members of Bristol. I'm very pleased to be making an ensemble (gown, forepart, sleeves, and hat) for my friend who joined the same year as I did and, ask anyone, playing maids of honor we were virtually inseparable that first year...<br />
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/126_597072978887_8904_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/126_597072978887_8904_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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...strolling the streets...</div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/126_597072983877_9175_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/126_597072983877_9175_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...loitering in meadows...</div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/126_597072909027_4178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/126_597072909027_4178_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and scoping out the boys.</div>
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Six years later, she now plays Barbara Gamage, Lady Robert Sidney. Sir Robert Sidney, if you recall, is played by this guy...</div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644055_4721935487806_125792960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644055_4721935487806_125792960_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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...my real-life brother, whose outfit was also made by yours truly. </div>
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So I always sketch outfits to confirm the overall look and general direction of the details. </div>
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The main parts of the overskirt and bodice will be a dark navy blue velvet accented with gunmetal-grey and golden-yellow. Some of the fabrics are still in the acquiring phase but a trip to <a href="http://www.megafabrics.com/" target="_blank">Sol's</a> in Chicago proved very helpful and enabled me to get started on the hat-action.</div>
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Behold! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SndqQtnHlHI/UXSbNNfbeAI/AAAAAAAAAy0/QfLSTZ51Ao4/s1600/DSCN0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SndqQtnHlHI/UXSbNNfbeAI/AAAAAAAAAy0/QfLSTZ51Ao4/s640/DSCN0854.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Dark grey upholstery-weight cotton velvet<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1bbUe9jPhhM/UXSbI5-1HCI/AAAAAAAAAys/eRg0rU25eCg/s1600/DSCN0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1bbUe9jPhhM/UXSbI5-1HCI/AAAAAAAAAys/eRg0rU25eCg/s640/DSCN0855.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Navy silk shantung brim-rim wrapped with gold cord<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EI70IXpMSlw/UXSbNwZ28hI/AAAAAAAAAy8/MHD4dpisim8/s1600/DSCN0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EI70IXpMSlw/UXSbNwZ28hI/AAAAAAAAAy8/MHD4dpisim8/s640/DSCN0857.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And my personal favorite find of the Sol's trip: gold/blue shot silk organza. Effffing awesome. Bias-cut strip tubed and puff-secured with gold cord. </div>
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I believe my friend has a silver-or-pewter Sidney pheon (remember this?)</div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Sydney.svg/220px-Sydney.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Sydney.svg/220px-Sydney.svg.png" /></a></div>
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brooch/pin that will be showcased center-front (probable feather-action emanating)</div>
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Ok? Sounds good to everyone? Great.</div>
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Moving on!</div>
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The Dutch Coat is basically something between a short surcoat with sleeves but shaped more like and worn like a short-cape. This is the best period depiction of it I could find: </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34Fyi2o0nMA/UXSnJyZBGsI/AAAAAAAAAzE/p5zLOwGiT4c/s1600/dutchcoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34Fyi2o0nMA/UXSnJyZBGsI/AAAAAAAAAzE/p5zLOwGiT4c/s400/dutchcoat.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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I have no pattern for this but draped and drafted my own. I've handmade and beaded the trim, I'm now working on putting the trim down onto the cut pieces of red velvet. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8U1DhmFvmOI/UXSoHuHHpeI/AAAAAAAAAzU/Er47LXmoaXE/s1600/DSCN0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8U1DhmFvmOI/UXSoHuHHpeI/AAAAAAAAAzU/Er47LXmoaXE/s320/DSCN0850.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gjkDrfDMFI8/UXSoG_wb-_I/AAAAAAAAAzM/LT_NgY5fm94/s1600/DSCN0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gjkDrfDMFI8/UXSoG_wb-_I/AAAAAAAAAzM/LT_NgY5fm94/s320/DSCN0851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So that's that. For now. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-52876896735090389222013-04-17T15:23:00.000-07:002013-04-17T15:23:51.049-07:00Leicester Suit Finished and in Action!It was requested that I save this post until after the opening weekend and debut of the suit at the <a href="http://recfaire.com/" target="_blank">Original Renaissance Faire</a>. This upcoming will be the 3rd weekend of 7 so there are many days for you to go see the show and the suit for yourself, however there are some great photos from the first two weekends I can't help but share and close the Leicester chapter on this blog.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PveCTHBaia0/UW8Zok2E_WI/AAAAAAAAAx4/67Wt0YL1leE/s1600/DSCN0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PveCTHBaia0/UW8Zok2E_WI/AAAAAAAAAx4/67Wt0YL1leE/s640/DSCN0767.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The finished product before leaving my studio</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9g3hmVMHGRs/UW8Znd7g5LI/AAAAAAAAAxw/4FPiOQqm0gw/s1600/DSCN0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9g3hmVMHGRs/UW8Znd7g5LI/AAAAAAAAAxw/4FPiOQqm0gw/s320/DSCN0770.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And here are some great performance shots!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnnETfHn_Gc/UW8bGsbPqnI/AAAAAAAAAyA/f6tp4dmWeOQ/s1600/537368_638790496138360_1334961416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnnETfHn_Gc/UW8bGsbPqnI/AAAAAAAAAyA/f6tp4dmWeOQ/s640/537368_638790496138360_1334961416_n.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KenPhotology" target="_blank">KenPhotology</a> for this great shot!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7z8gh0UVn8/UW8dphjEmOI/AAAAAAAAAyI/iy3VTdGJU0k/s1600/644226_10200256092579785_304863975_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7z8gh0UVn8/UW8dphjEmOI/AAAAAAAAAyI/iy3VTdGJU0k/s640/644226_10200256092579785_304863975_n.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clarence-Alford-Photography/169081609792530" target="_blank">Clarence Alford</a> is the fantastic photographer on this one.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JmAEdLWptU4/UW8e60PaoCI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/ZJ1WaZbpYXo/s1600/604102_639440106073399_1084556039_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JmAEdLWptU4/UW8e60PaoCI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/ZJ1WaZbpYXo/s640/604102_639440106073399_1084556039_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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LOVE how the colors translate in B&W on this one. Thanks again to KenPhotology for this one.</div>
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I'm extremely pleased with how it turned out and Clayton is doing it much justice in the performance. </div>
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I've got some more projects on the table for Bristol friends that I'll try to post on here as I go. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-13258095256221419242013-02-06T11:35:00.000-08:002013-02-06T11:35:44.560-08:00Finished sleeves! I did in fact finish the sleeves the following day! I've just been a bit busy to update.<br />
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Here they are!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1y1TVtcj1Gk/URKu7Cg3agI/AAAAAAAAAwk/bzjWB_4prHo/s1600/DSCN0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1y1TVtcj1Gk/URKu7Cg3agI/AAAAAAAAAwk/bzjWB_4prHo/s640/DSCN0729.JPG" width="244" /></a></div>
(I still have to add ties to the top to tie into the doublet.)<br />
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Suuuper close up...<br />
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Open!<br />
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The doublet is the last piece to finish then there are closures and point ties and other little details before it's all done but it's just a few days work away.</div>
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On another front I've got a commission for a lady's gown for Bristol coming up as well so look for that project coming soon!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-87494739736495012462013-02-01T22:56:00.000-08:002013-02-01T22:56:50.149-08:00Hat done! Sleeves started!I've changed my mind about how I wanted to do this hat a million times. I do love that striped fabric I found but it wasn't quite jiving with the other ideas I had for the hat. It took me a few times mucking around with it in a variety of frustrating ways to get to that point. Life and work and other distractions were chewing into my spare time and progress had slowed as I experienced a general sew-er's block. Now I have a cold and a few days off and nothing else to do except sew. <div>
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So I got the hat done!</div>
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So remember how I was doing this?:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mD4vbP4gos/UQyx0ewXExI/AAAAAAAAAuM/_Z0fQcbV9yQ/s1600/DSCN0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mD4vbP4gos/UQyx0ewXExI/AAAAAAAAAuM/_Z0fQcbV9yQ/s320/DSCN0690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well I did more of it and used it to trim the brim as well as make the band. <br />
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I LOVE this velvet and found some perfect "montana blue" navettes to spruce up the band<br />
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(also the hat isn't that big, my styro head is just really small)<br />
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Then I started trimming and putting together the sleeves...</div>
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This seems to be a recurring image, this time w/ a bronzish brown cord on the light blue silk...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ii_FAjO2OA/UQy0Rq2RsfI/AAAAAAAAAvc/vwBKujdBGko/s1600/DSCN0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ii_FAjO2OA/UQy0Rq2RsfI/AAAAAAAAAvc/vwBKujdBGko/s320/DSCN0716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then a bit of gold trim to make a 'cuff' look.</div>
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and a bit of the bronze on top of that to finish off that look<br />
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This is where I left them for the night.<br />
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Got a lot done today and it feels good. Maybe tomorrow I can get the sleeves done...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-65333909928987191342013-01-14T16:25:00.000-08:002013-01-14T16:25:25.292-08:00More Leicester Details<br />
3 days of sewing. In my mind that means a ton of progress, right? Kind of. Until I can do a fitting for the doublet I'm working on all the other little things so after I finished the collar and epaulettes...<br />
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here they are...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4xk2G17mcQ/UPSa98R109I/AAAAAAAAArs/pUugaWwDfcA/s1600/DSCN0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4xk2G17mcQ/UPSa98R109I/AAAAAAAAArs/pUugaWwDfcA/s320/DSCN0685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
(and yes the collar is exceedingly tall at the moment, will mark the correct height during the fitting)<br />
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...I moved onto cutting the sleeves, which will be open along the front seam with buttons. I decided to eke the lining out of what was left of the bronze. And when I say "eke" I mean master-the-expert-level-pattern-tetris-challenge.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpDjRMRF2PA/UPScvPmVLCI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/8IukArK34co/s1600/DSCN0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpDjRMRF2PA/UPScvPmVLCI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/8IukArK34co/s320/DSCN0689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I hated to have the one piece on the weft but as lining it shouldn't be noticeable.<br />
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I'm currently in a conundrum about trimming the damn things so that's on the back burner for now...<br />
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So I moved on to the hat!<br />
And because I have an apparent allergy to buying/finding trim I decided to make the hatband from some of wine velvet and some gold trim. I want to sew on some blue navettes too if I can find the right ones. But if I thought making the skirting and epaulettes was tedious boy was I in for it...<br />
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There was supposed to be a video of making the band here but apparently even Safari thought it was too tediously mind-numbing to subject the internet to.<br />
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Basically it took two-and-a-half episodes of Star Trek:TNG to finish putting the trim down on this, oh say about 40inch strip.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MZtK2MpJIg/UPSfWnYi6CI/AAAAAAAAAs0/g9arfPrI-Xc/s1600/DSCN0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MZtK2MpJIg/UPSfWnYi6CI/AAAAAAAAAs0/g9arfPrI-Xc/s640/DSCN0702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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so naturally I wanted to kill myself.<br />
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I also found some of this beautiful fabric to make some piping out of :<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEl3q4yeA8s/UPSf4DJ1pcI/AAAAAAAAAtE/uDdIEGR0bJk/s1600/DSCN0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEl3q4yeA8s/UPSf4DJ1pcI/AAAAAAAAAtE/uDdIEGR0bJk/s320/DSCN0709.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I'm trying to do something unique around the brim so it kind of looks like this right now:<br />
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(I haven't cut out the crown-hole yet)<br />
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The hat project materials group-photo:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEecRuPvWd8/UPSf4kh64VI/AAAAAAAAAtM/5hWisUdcuNw/s1600/DSCN0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEecRuPvWd8/UPSf4kh64VI/AAAAAAAAAtM/5hWisUdcuNw/s640/DSCN0703.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here's the whole outfit sneak-preview group photo!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEoN8t0bgZs/UPSgnWcbxmI/AAAAAAAAAtk/gKrO5Vy-ZAI/s1600/DSCN0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEoN8t0bgZs/UPSgnWcbxmI/AAAAAAAAAtk/gKrO5Vy-ZAI/s640/DSCN0706.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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mmmmmmm shiny.......<br />
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Current plan:<br />
Finish Hat<br />
Find/Decide on trim treatment for sleeves<br />
Make Sleeves<br />
Fit Doublet<br />
Finish Doublet<br />
Finalize closures and Tie-In points at waist<br />
Kiss it farewell and send it off!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-37461947767627241492013-01-12T00:12:00.000-08:002013-01-12T00:12:05.399-08:00Annnnnd we hit the tedium... Somehow this always seems to be my most hated and yet most favorite part of the process. It's that point you realize the devil is in the details but it's no ordinary devil. This one is luring you with shiny things and seductive visions of being hailed as the Queen of Beautiful Details!! And then you spend 12 hours in a heroic battle against the mundane armed with silk and velvet and cord, the battlefield littered with scraps of experiments, shredded threads of ripped out seams, sighs of frustration filling the air, only to walk away with the spoils of...4 little pieces of skirting.<br />
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Alright, alright, enough with the dramatics. This is what I did get done today.<br />
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Cutting out the skirting pieces<br />
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Lots of futzing and finally settling on this...<br />
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which became this...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1Fa-ELaUxY/UPEXtctgEKI/AAAAAAAAAp8/Byqo2T0xQ0E/s1600/DSCN0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1Fa-ELaUxY/UPEXtctgEKI/AAAAAAAAAp8/Byqo2T0xQ0E/s640/DSCN0664.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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which became these...<br />
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which looks like this up close...<br />
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I also started working on the epaulettes and collar before I just got too tired.<br />
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Cut and stiffened by zigzagging rattail onto fusible horsehair canvas<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVQetH21gz4/UPEaBM0jkfI/AAAAAAAAArA/6iTiVUs3l0M/s1600/DSCN0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eVQetH21gz4/UPEaBM0jkfI/AAAAAAAAArA/6iTiVUs3l0M/s640/DSCN0676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Close up of the rattail cording.<br />
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Too tired to write anything intelligent or amusing at this point. So thanks again for reading and goodnight! Or good morning. whatever.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-36476537393803919902013-01-10T13:51:00.000-08:002013-01-10T13:51:24.002-08:00Leicester ProgressHey all!<br />
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Happy New Year and I hope everyone had safe and happy holidays. I've been working on the Earl suit in between holidays and flying and making good progress in just the last couple weeks.<br />
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Slops are nearly completed, excepting closures<br />
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Pre-waistbanded:<br />
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Don't hate me but I built the inner-lining out of a pair of mens briefs. It's the perfect shape, maximum flexibility with near-zero chance of seam blow-out (and trust me, if you know my client you know why this is nothing short of necessary. YOU KNOW WHY!!) It was a conundrum of Phabric Fysics to line up the front seam of the bronze slop lining with the brief structure but I did it dammit!<br />
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Narrow-banded legs holes will ride juuuuust under the gluteus maximus for full shorty-slop effect.<br />
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Avec waistband:<br />
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Equipped with stealth-pockets!<br />
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The lining of the pocket pulled out to reveal super secret zipper in seam of said pocket allowing access to the dark lair of betwixt-lining-and-inner-lining where stuffing/netting/filling/secret-documents resides.</div>
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This photo was meant to show said access to filling (in this case a bias-folded length of muslin designed to give weight and shape to the slops) but my camera freaked out I guess and melded one with-flash image with one without-flash image for this frankenphoto...<br />
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Ok enough sloppage...<br />
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Work has commenced on the doublet!<br />
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Flatlined to lightweight canvas<br />
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Vertical stripeage on the back...<br />
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And everyone's favorite: the Chevron effect on the front!<br />
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Adding a touch of texture to the fabric with this teeny gold cord here...<br />
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It's hard to see but I tried to get a close up of the fabric with one of the stripes picked out with the gold(left) and one without (right). </div>
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Then we add a dash of a slightly bigger gold cord on the edges just on the three central stripes on either side.<br />
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Next I'll work on epaulettes, skirting, and collar before putting the doublet all together. Then sleeves. Then hat. And maybe a surprise accessory...<br />
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That's all for now!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-67242042269041053852012-12-12T13:07:00.001-08:002012-12-12T19:00:01.512-08:00Next project: Earl of LeicesterJumping back on the project train for the winter with this suit for a friend who plays Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.<br />
<span id="goog_2034394443"></span><span id="goog_2034394444"></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxhfWRWHWIs/UMjeWKR-XVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/IAgx77x2MYM/s1600/2010-01-01+00.00.00-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxhfWRWHWIs/UMjeWKR-XVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/IAgx77x2MYM/s640/2010-01-01+00.00.00-40.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The fabrics were found at S.R. Harris in Minneapolis by these beautiful people<br />
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photo by Ivan Phillips</div>
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and now it's my charge to give birth to their brain child!<br />
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Here are the fabrics:<br />
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A mock up fitting is scheduled soon, after which work in earnest can begin. So far I've been making piping:<br />
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And starting the panes:<br />
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I'm definitely excited about this one! The colors are so striking I'm already in love.<br />
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More updates coming soon!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-21153749190743161522012-12-06T21:03:00.000-08:002012-12-12T19:00:50.011-08:00Caveats to being thrifty: Fabric/Thread rot!So your grandma has a bunch of fabric you can have since she won't use it anymore? Or there's a bag full of spools of thread for a buck at that garage sale? A couple yards of something hanging there at your local goodwill for dirt cheap?<br />
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Buyer Beware!<br />
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Well, you're probably not going to be at a great loss at thrift store/relative give-away prices but Sew-er Beware! It only takes a couple years of sitting on a shelf in the basement or in the attic or even in a sewing room for dry rot to set in. You may not even notice the problem until your garment is completed and seams practically melt apart from thread that's disintegrated or fabric in high stress areas just pulls apart like a really tender slow-cooked pot roast.<br />
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My grandmother's house was being cleaned out and consolidated when she moved into an assisted living home and I 'inherited' a huge ziplock of thread and some other fabrics that had been sitting around unused in her upstairs un-air-conditioned sewing room in Pennsylvania. The threads I all tested and only a few were sound enough to use. 90% of that huge bag went right into the trash. The fabric appeared okay and I didn't think to test it further. Unfortunately what seemed like a great chunk of black cotton bottomweight turned out to be on the verge of rot and after being used as a doublet lining for a summer at Bristol it completely gave out at seems, under arms, around grommets, etc etc etc. Now, because I forgot where this fabric came from and didn't bother to do some basic tug tests on it, I'm replacing the entire lining for this garment. When I pulled out the existing lining made from said fabric it looked like I was holding an extant piece from the period. All those pictures in Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion? Yeah, it looks just like that.<br />
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So learn my lesson the easy way. When you acquire fabric and thread from unknown storage backgrounds make sure the integrity is sound BEFORE you use in your projects. Give thread a firm tug, try breaking the thread from a spool you just bought to compare. Does it snap after a hard pull that probably leaves lines on your hand? Or does it pop apart easily, pulling apart with a moderate or light tug? Cut a medium swatch of the fabric and try pulling it apart (not trying to rip it with a started notch). When it rips what do the threads look like? Rotted thread will be very loose, fuzzy, or frayed and the fabric will tear with very little force.<br />
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Prevent your own stash from suffering this fate by making sure fabrics are stored in cool dry places, sealed in containers or zip locks if possible. Use dehumidifiers in basements and store fabrics in an air-conditioned area if you live in a humid environment.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-92171733577383941292012-07-26T16:55:00.000-07:002012-12-12T18:59:16.168-08:00Fully Finished and In Action!So as promised here are some action shots of the Gresham Suit.<br />
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Photo by Ivan Philips </div>
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(with more of my work in the background!)</div>
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Photo by Nicole</div>
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And a distance group shot:</div>
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<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/295390_10150928474372019_1871603849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/295390_10150928474372019_1871603849_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Photo by Jim Farris</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-76675530097796561512012-07-25T19:08:00.000-07:002012-12-12T19:01:15.335-08:00If You Ever Find Yourself In: CHICAGO EDITION!..and the greater chicago area!<br />
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So I've been putting this one off for a while because there's so much I want to cover! Those who live in the area probably know of these already but for those of you who don't live in the area let this be your impetus to PLAN A VISIT! The places I will be reviewing are all ones I have been to and love. In light of that I issue this challenge: introduce me to a NEW favorite Chicago/Chicago area fabric store that I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO BEFORE! A Prize will be given for the person who can :D<br />
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Ok, enough of that blah blah blah.<br />
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I'll start with the downtown area stores first, starting with the absolute if-you-get-nothing-else-from-this-go-to-this-place-as-soon-as-possible-move-over-disney-this-is-the-happiest-place-on-earth: <a href="http://www.megafabrics.com/" target="_blank">Textile Discount Outlet</a> aka LZ's Products aka Sol's. If you don't believe me watch this <a href="http://vimeo.com/22344843" target="_blank">VIDEO!</a> I really can't explain it any better. HUGE selection. I DARE YOU to show me a bigger selection in one place. Go ahead. Do it. I bet you $20 of fabric you can't do it. Anyway, great selection and seriously dirt cheap prices.<br />
The parking is extremely limited. It's located in a mostly residential neighborhood where there's street parking that's almost always packed car to car. Their parking lot holds about 8 cars MAX. If you're taking the El to get there, it's off the Pink Line at 2121 W 21st St. (Damen & Cermak stop).<br />
They are always closed on Saturdays however so plan accordingly.<br />
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Seriously. Just go there.<br />
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The next rant-able place is <a href="http://fishmansfabrics.com/" target="_blank">Fishman's Fabrics</a>. Located at 1101 S. Desplaines St. They have a lot of beautiful fabrics. The place isn't large as some others but it's packed with quality silks, wools, velvets, designer fabrics, upholstery-weights, and drapery-weights. As well as some stunning trims! Prices are pretty reasonable as well. There's a parking lot and I think the closest El stop is off the Blue line at Clinton (10 min walk from Clinton stop).<br />
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While you're there, head across the street to <a href="http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/" target="_blank">Vogue Fabrics</a>. It's basically what I wish every Joann's was actually like. Well organized, good selection, reasonable prices, includes a remnant room. They don't have very much in the way of upholstery weights but they do carry a large selection of trims and notions.<br />
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And before you leave that block, go right across the street from Vogue, around the corner from Fishman's and just pop into <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&q=textile+discount+outlet&fb=1&gl=us&hq=textile+discount+outlet&cid=0,0,1240446220520943976&ei=6J0QUOOyGYqPigKWv4CIBg&ved=0CIMBEPwSMAA" target="_blank">New Rainbow Fabrics</a>. It's a very small Indian-family owned store with a bunch of sari and special occasion glittery fabrics. Sometimes you can just find that one oddly perfect thing there and it doesn't take long to look around so always worth a stop in.<br />
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Ok, now I'm going to branch out to my two favorites north of the city. The first is just the <a href="https://plus.google.com/110326669889920365736/about?gl=us&hl=en" target="_blank">Vogue Fabrics-Evanston</a> location. They often have a better selection than the downtown location, otherwise it's all the same.<br />
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The second is <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&q=textile+discount+outlet&fb=1&gl=us&hq=textile+discount+outlet&cid=0,0,1240446220520943976&ei=6J0QUOOyGYqPigKWv4CIBg&ved=0CIMBEPwSMAA" target="_blank">Loomcraft</a>. In Vernon Hills, it's a good bit north of the city but they have a big selection of upholstery and drapery weights, for reasonable prices, always discounted. There's a remnant section and a shelf with silk and silk-blend remnants for dirt cheap. Most of <a href="http://theradclyffe.blogspot.com/search/label/Gresham" target="_blank">Gresham</a> came from that shelf. So go there if you can.<br />
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So get fabric hunting, my friends!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336668883398479377.post-71550389443128465442012-07-25T00:16:00.002-07:002012-07-25T00:16:57.708-07:00Liking ItOk,<br />
So I decided I like it. Got mostly positive feedback and there are some who totally LOVE it. Some like it despite being somewhat confused and I've had one comparison to the Milwaukee Art Museum.<br />
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<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/523380_467708029920615_799941341_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/523380_467708029920615_799941341_n.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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photo by Hector Stewart</div>
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<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/534940_4265499163627_1022089147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/534940_4265499163627_1022089147_n.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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photo by Nicole (patron of the favoritest kind)</div>
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<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/487242_4249037392093_1553449538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/487242_4249037392093_1553449538_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also by Nicole</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OyPMx4LuCw/T5JpvJohkCI/AAAAAAAABMQ/n1YVExDE5c0/s1600/Milwaukee+Art+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OyPMx4LuCw/T5JpvJohkCI/AAAAAAAABMQ/n1YVExDE5c0/s400/Milwaukee+Art+Museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Milwaukee Art Museum</div>
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So there's that update. Otherwise July flying has been kicking my ass and I've done absolutely nothing. I finally have a few days off so I might start working on something again.. no guarantees. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07867267206707220059noreply@blogger.com1